Cookies on the Arsenal WebsiteWe use cookies to improve your browsing experience and help us improve our websites. For more information, please click here. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our use of such cookies.

'The Turkish fans were chanting for Arsenal'

By Chris Harris

Arsenal's defence has come in for criticism over the past week but, compared to Fenerbahce's back line, they have looked positively watertight.

The Turkish side attacked with vigour when Arsène Wenger's side visited Istanbul a fortnight ago but were severely punished for a string of basic errors at the back as Emmanuel Adebayor, Theo Walcott and company ran riot.

Fenerbahce's 5-2 defeat heaped more pressure on new coach Luis Aragones but the Spaniard could ease his burden with a positive result at Emirates Stadium. The Turks have little chance of repeating last season's run to the last eight of the Champions League but a Uefa Cup place - and a clash with rivals Galatasaray - is still a viable target.

We asked Edip Adanir, London Correspondent of Fanatik, for a Turkish perspective ahead of Wednesday's game. Read on for his take on Fenerbahce's recent form, the men to watch at the Emirates and the reason why we can expect another high-scoring affair.

FOCUS - THE STORY SO FAR

THE STORY SO FAR"They are not in good shape at the moment. They had a draw against Eskisehirspor and, as for Luis Aragones and the Fenerbahce supporters, it just doesn't work between them. The chairman is under pressure. And also they have a problem with Colin Kazim-Richards, he has not been on top form since the European Championships and also he has been sent off for swearing at a linesman in Turkish. He doesn't seem to want to stay in Turkey. Also, Roberto Carlos is not the same player he was.

"Having said all that, in Istanbul, Fenerbahce had four or five chances against Arsenal and could have scored more goals. I don't know if that was Arsenal's weakness or Fenerbahce playing well going forward. Either way, Fenerbahce had massive defensive problems and if they do that again at the Emirates, the score will be the same. It was unusual for them because they played really well against top teams in the Champions League last season. The only time they couldn't perform their best was at Chelsea, but apart from that they defended well."

FOCUS - REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL

REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL"The one thing I can say about Fenerbahce is that they will definitely score a goal. They will not come here to defend and it will be an open game. It could be a turning point for them, this game. Because of the team, with two centre forwards, it has never been done before and I think Aragones is playing his last card here. Even a point will do for them for [finishing third in the group and qualifying for] the Uefa Cup because their main target is to play Galatasaray in the Final at their stadium. Every Fenerbahce supporter and player's dream is to do that and to do that they have to qualify for the Uefa Cup."

FOCUS - MAN OF THE MOMENT

MAN OF THE MOMENT"He is the main dangerman but he is not the type of centre-forward that Fenerbahce's supporters would like. Before it was Mateja Kezman and they didn't like him at all. They were looking for someone like Pierre van Hooijdonk - they want the old fashioned, British style of centre forward."

FOCUS - NEW FACES

THE ONE TO WATCH"If he plays, Deivid is one to watch. He is a very talented player, he can take risks, he can take the ball out of defence, he can beat players and score goals. He scored against some top teams."

FOCUS - TALKING TACTICS

TALKING TACTICS"They won't play the same formation as they did in Istanbul. Aragones is playing two up front, which is surprising. Semih Senturk and Daniel Guiza will be up front. Volkan Demirel will be in goal again and Aragones hasn't decided whether to play Deivid or Claudio Maldonado, but apart from that it will be the same team."

FOCUS - IMPRESSIONS OF ARSENAL

IMPRESSIONS OF ARSENAL"Fenerbahce coming to London has created a buzz among the Turkish fans over in England. I have seen a lot of people getting enthusiastic. I was at the game at Highbury in 1979 when Fenerbahce lost 2-0 and I remember the last minute of the first half when Liam Brady missed a penalty. For all Turkey supporters, Arsenal is No 1. It doesn't matter if they win anything, just for the way they play they are adored. The fans were clapping and chanting for Arsenal in Istanbul. My paper became Arsenal's agent because I report all their games and the Fenerbahce supporters know that I am an Arsenal fan!"

Copyright 2015 The Arsenal Football Club plc. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.arsenal.com as the source4 Nov 2008

Please ensure that you enter your parents email address and click here to review our privacy policy for those who are under 13. Please note that an email address can only be used once to register as a Digital Member so you cannot register for both an adult and junior membership under the same email address.

Mobile Number

* Country

Language Preference

* Postcode

* Email Address

* Confirm Email Address

* Password

* Confirm Password

Get all the news from Arsenal.com

Manager's Email and Weekly E-Newsletter (only in English)I would like to receive the weekly Manager's and Arsenal's e-newsletters and other information about offerings from The Arsenal Football Club Plc by post, email and SMS.

Club Offers and Information (only in English)I would like to receive ticket updates, membership notifications and details of other offers and information relating to The Arsenal Football Club Plc and its group companies from time to time ("Arsenal") by post, email and SMS.

Offers and Information About Our Partners and Sponsors (only in English)I would like to receive offers and information about carefully selected third parties, including partners and sponsors, from Arsenal by post, email and SMS.